FUNHOUSE TATTOOING BC

MANUEL "MASTER" SERVIN - GODOY MACHINES

2011-12-26T15:35:00.000-08:00

Master... using the Godoy Machines - V3 Model

Manuel Isaias Aceves Servin - known officially as: xmasterx, was born in Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico May 27, 1983.

Since he was a kid, he'd always shown great aptitude in drawing... as an adolescent, this art went hand in hand with his playing in a hardcore band and being exposed to heavily tattooed people and the inspiration to learn technique and involve himself in the art.

Through friends, Master met Richi Michel, who at 11 years of tattooing had gained international recognition for his world class tattooing ability. Master bought his first machine right then and there and took a self taught approach for the following 6 months before having job offers and an official apprenticeship from Richi Michel.

In the Richi Tattoo studio he was exposed to the work of
javier kuatom & martin zapo, who's influence helped to direct and to shape Master's career and ability. After 4 years, he operates Blackline Tattoo and travels to national and international conventions entering contests and winning.

REALISM... A TRUE UNDERSTANDING OF TECHNIQUE...

A REAL UNDERSTANDING OF COLOR, BALANCE AND COMPOSITION...

DYNAMIC LINE THICKNESS, COMBINED WITH SMOOTH EVEN GREYS...

COMBINED WITH CONTRASTING DARKS... MAKE FOR PERFECT TATTOOS.

We proudly sponsored Master for machines at theGuadalajara tattoo convention where he tied for first place for tattoo of the day. He followed up this win with a few more first places in Mexico City 2 months later! This is a track record that can't be beat...

GODOY MACHINES -SUPPORTING THE ARTS, SUPPORTING THE ARTISTS WHO EXCELL IN THE ARTS, SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND CONTINUING INNOVATION.

SCRAPPY UNO! GODOY MACHINES PROFESSIONAL.

2011-12-19T15:04:00.000-08:00

TRYING TO BRING SCRAPPY TO FUNHOUSE!

Scrappy Uno is DAVID GARCIA, Mexico's premier portrait / black n grey tattoo artist. We have been going to Mexico for conventions for the last 10 years and at most of these conventions, one name keeps winning repeatedly in the black and grey and realism competitions - "Scrappy".

We award a machine to the winner of the best realism events at the conventions we attend and as Scrappy kept on winning year after year, convention after convention, so we decided one day to just hand him the machine because he "would have won anyway".. and he did. Since then he has been sponsored by Godoy Machines.

We are proud to manufacture and promote the "Scrappy" model machine.

FOR LEFT OR RIGHT HANDED TATTOO ARTISTS, THE SCRAPPY MODEL FEATURES:

STAINLESS STEEL DUAL TOP AND MILD STEEL BOTTOM SUBFRAMES ARE SUPPORTED BY HIGH SENSITIVITY EASY SATURATION SQUARE SUPPORT COILS. (Patent pending). THIS MACHINE'S COILS, SPRING GAUGES AND COMPONENTS COMBINE TO PRODUCE INCREMENTALLY SENSITIVE RESPONSE. THE SCRAPPY UNO IS A TRULY VERSATILE MACHINE, UNIVERSALLY TUNED TO HANDLE THE REQUIREMENTS OF ANY TECHNIQUE.

Scrappy has appeared in several magazines and television programs world wide.

These are only a few of the awards he has won.

Below is a gallery of some of his work. Perfectly even and smooth subtle grey washes require skill and understanding of technique as well as a well tuned machine. The understanding of machine components and function will facilitate this type of trajectory.

HOW DO YOU COMPARE? DO YOU WANT TO REFINE YOUR SKILL? DO YOU WANT UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY HOW TO REACH THIS LEVEL, IN TATTOOING AND IN MACHINE UNDERSTANDING? OR WOULD YOU RATHER RECOGNIZE YOURSELF AS MEDIOCRE... YOU GET BACK WHAT YOU PUT IN.

BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION.

JUAN IS NO LONGER AT THE SHOP... THIS IS THE LATEST.

2011-12-15T02:40:00.000-08:00

Mexican / global tattooist Juan "Super" Arreguin is one of our crew, no matter where he is. He has left to open his own shop in Leon, Guanajuato Mexico. We're all proud of his achievents and contributions and are grateful for the time he spent with us.

He is recognized for his artistic and loyal contribution to the progression of the art wherever he may tattoo, and now, right here, with his own model machines by Godoy Machines. Pictured above are a pair of his "Fly" and "Super Fly" model machines.

The Juan Arreguin "Fly" Model. A pair of 6 layer high saturation coils. Unequaled in incremental sensitivity, no other round coil assembly can compare. The magnetic field generated by specific wire layers and gauges are sequentially integrated in this coil assembly to combine with distinct spring gauges and tensions plus armature bar mass and weight to produce the highest variety of incrementally sensitive variations in force. A true masterpiece.

The Juan Arreguin - "Super Fly" model. A steel frame with our patented square coil assembly. Our patented square electromagnetic coil assembly boosts magnetic field mils by invoking an exact combination of material and a specially designed coil core mass. Spring material, gauges and tension combined with frame specifications to dictate fluid movement, variable velocity and incrementally sensitive force There are several special NEW and innovative features on this machine, NOT found on any other machine in the industry which enable maximum sensitivity at lower voltage. From a light and sensitive feel to punchy and more forceful, all under 4V.

Juan's work is easily identifiable and un mistakable. All the elements of light, shade and contrast can be seen. As well as fine lines...

The SUPER FLY MACHINE is able to subtly blend and fade as well as solidly line and evenly color with just a slight turn of the potentiometer.

This is proof that good work does not just happen by chance or luck or just on the artist's ability. A well tuned professional machine, built by professionals that understand these techniques (because they apply them themselves on a daily basis, just like you do) , can make any artistic goals a stress free reality.

Cover ups...

1..

2...

3...

To full chests...

CHRISTMAS IS COMING... GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE GOING FAST!!!

MEXICO CITY TATTOO CONVENTION, OCT. 29 & 30, 2011

2011-11-10T20:48:00.001-08:00

Mexico City Tattoo convention organizer Tony Serrano from Tatuajes Mexico, asked us to do a machine seminar. There were 16 artists in the class. We covered everything in our book and more. The goal is more than just to educate artists, for us, it's important to find people who are on the same page and want to be a part of the solution and NOT part of the problem. First you need to wake up and see that there is a problem and then tear it down bit by bit.

"HOW MANY OF YOU MAKE YOUR OWN NEEDLES?" Looks like 2 or so.. the rest?

The way to maintain quality control over every aspect of your tattooing is to understand every aspect of your tattooing. What you're actually doing when you step on the footswitch, when you put the needles in to the skin, the types of needles you are using, the quality of the pigment. Almost all tattoo supply companies don't care if you're doing good work with the products they sell. Almost all tattoo supply companies don't care if the products they sell are truly functional. Almost all tattoo supply companies don't understand what they are really selling. Almost all tattoo supply companies have never used the products they sell. Almost all artists trust these suppliers to supply them with quality functional products... these suppliers buy and sell products manufactured by people who do not tattoo, people who do not understand what functions are necessary in a tattoo machine. This is only a small part of the problem. Now, hopefully, these 16 students will not be taken by the hype in this unregulated business oriented supplier / artist relationship.

Art, Steve, Pablo Porno and Enrico Colombres.

While we were busy at the booth, selling machines, repairing machines and tattooing...

Juan "super" Arreguin was busy trying out his new prototype model machine, and having great results!

David "Scrappy Uno" Garcia was tattooing with his own model Scrappy Uno machine ...

Manuel "Master" Servin was tattooing also...

L to R: Pablo Porno, Scrappy Uno, and Master... All first place winners! Portrait, tattoo of the day, realism... the best of the best.

Congratulations to all 3 of these artists, we are proud to have them on Godoy Machines.

Meanwhile... Javier "Jade" Campos, was winning in Ecuador & Lima Peru with his own Javier Campos model machine!!!

The talent at this convention was incredible, the organization was perfect, the entertainment excellent.. thanks also to Tony Serrano for being a great host. And Enrico Colombres from Godoy Machines South America for being part of our crew.

TATTOOS BY FESTER JULY 22, 2011

2011-07-22T20:31:00.000-07:00

Great flower, no doubt. Nice color, clean lines...

Fester is a champion...

Here's part of what went on today, the 22nd of July... Fester sitting on the other side of the room, was putting out some great sh*t. It's so private that sometimes, it seems that the only people that know what's going on on that side of the wall, are him, and God. Jesus Christ!! The things he does are so sinfully clean. Like this cross below. Perfect lines, Hell, only an antichrist like him could do stuff like this!!

Sometimes, people get all philosophical when getting tattooed... like "Everything happens for a reason".. same as "sh*t happens"... only "Everything happens for a reason" takes up most of the upper chest, "Sh*t happens" may only take up just the collar. Do you really think things happen for a reason? or is it more like there is a reason things happen? Or maybe it's the same...

Kids, flowers, flowers n kids. Kids should never put plastic wrap over their faces... unless they are a tattoo on someone's leg.. or maybe you just wanna put em to sleep for a while. Black n grey is so under rated... it's a real nice classy way to tattoo. Not too bold and way more depth and realism than the mediocre color pieces people do these days.

Can't believe July is almost over. Time flies when you do great work!!! Keep coming, this has been a great summer so far...

3001 Cambie St. @ 14th. 604-879-4114

FUNHOUSE TATTOO SPONSORS MMA FIGHTER!

2011-07-08T16:45:00.000-07:00

TONY NGUYEN SPONSORED BY FUNHOUSE TATTOOING.

Occupation: Filmmaker from Vancouver, B.C

Fighting style: Muay Thai/Karate

Tony is making his debut in battlefiled fight league. He is competing as an amateur mma bantamweight combatant on July, 16. 2011 at the Vancouver trade and convention center. He has been getting tattooed her at the shop for some time now. Most of his ongoing work is done by Mark Lankin.

Not only does Tony have plans for a successful fighting career, he has plans for a a lot of tattoo coverage!!!

The work Mark has been doing is asian inspired with the addition of a very illustrator style. The smooth black n grey is characteristic of Mark.

Backs...

Arms..

Chests.. you name it...

So, come out and support TONY NGUYEN at the Vancouver Convention center on July 16th!!!

Who cares if you don't like MMA! Support the shop that supports the shop's supporters and the shop's friend's supporters and their friends' friends who support them.

GO SEE THE FIGHT AND COME GET TATTOOED. WE'RE BETTER THAN ANY TV SHOW!

SAMMY RAMIREZ

2011-05-14T22:25:00.000-07:00

DO YOU KNOW THIS GUY?

I have been all over the world in the last several years with my brother Steve... America, Canada, Australia, Spain, Italy, Germany, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Urugay, Mexico... and we are going to South Africa in a few days!!! WHY? to do tattoo machine seminars.

If it wasn't for Sammy Ramirez, we could confidently say that our successful book "Tattoo Machines & their Secrets" may have never come out... and if it wasn't for Sammy, we may not be doing tattoo machine seminars all over the world!

At one of the Guadalajara conventions (which Sammy is responsible for putting on) he asked us to do a machine class. We did.. it was successful. We didn't consider it until he asked us to. We owe Sammy thanks over and over.

Sammy (R) with Indio, another tattooist friend of ours.

Modern, tattooing in Mexico has a colorful history. There are several major players who are considered early pioneers of electric tattooing. Sammy Ramirez being one of them. It would be very difficult to find any other Mexican tattoo artist who has contributed so much to the advancement of the art on a large scale. His yearly convention in Guadalajara is proof of that!! That's why we attend every year. He provides seminars for every aspect of tattooing, taught by the best in the field, from pathogens classes, to piercing and modifications, to advanced tattooing techniques and our tattoo machines course. He also show cases tons of entertainment for the public, from punk bands to freak shows right down to mariachis and Mexican folk dancers...

He has been putting this convention on for over 15 years! There are several attendees of legendary status who attend every year. El Guello.. before Sammy there was Guello. An artist from Guadalajara recognized as a pioneer, if not THE pioneer of electric tattooing. El Tigre, Chino, El Chacal, Pirana are all names of other early artists... right down to the unreal work of Paco Arias, Pedro Alvarez, Pablo Xno, David "Scrappy Uno" Garcia, Goethe, Pablo Ash... our very own Juan "Super" Arreguin and Armando "Fester" Castruita!! There are way more artists to mention.

So, thanks again to Sammy Ramirez... if it wasn't for that convention more than 9 years ago, we may not have been traveling, teaching and bettering the industry in our own way.

Our shop only has the best of the best. An international cast of greatness... More to come.

Funhouse Tattooing

3001 Cambie st. @ 14th

604-879-4114

New Shirt & Sign

2011-04-28T20:21:00.001-07:00

Both made with love by our one & only Sasha....

M L XL available

Made in 2 long days for our booth at the Westcoast Tattoo Show

GOLD PLATED BANANA II

2011-03-12T23:05:00.000-08:00

The Godoy machines Banana II is a very unique machine. From every internal feature to each and every external characteristic. The way this machines runs is specific to it's design. Not just the frame / sub frame specifications but the internal workings of wire turns, gauges, capacitor, coil core material and more...

When taking a run of these frames and sub frames to our finisher, we originally wanted a brass finish. Due to the darkness of the steel frame parts, the finisher recommended a gold plating. This is real gold. It turned out way better than we could ever have expected. The already beautiful lines of this machine look thousands of times more impressive in the highly polished gold plating.

We only had 8 made and are selling this limited run machine for $600.00 each.

For serious inquiries by professional tattoo artists in shops, email us at: info@godoymachines.com

LOW SKILLED WORKERS - FUNHOUSE TATTOO.

2011-03-04T07:31:00.000-08:00

Not many artists can go from this panther:

to this realistic black n grey feather! It's skill and it's technical ability. Sasha's talents are limitless.

The shop is full of this greatness. Really. Where else can you go where ALL the artists are equally as good. It's hard to say... isn't it. I usually get there before everyone.., and I watch em all walk in, one by one... like the rock stars that they truly are. It's so great cuz I know at the end of our work day, they will have done pieces that exceed the client's expectations and our high reputation and standard has gone even higher.

Ask Fester for a snake and skull and you'll leave with something like this... unless he has a real snake or human skull handy.

Speaking of hands, Who tattoos hands? we do. Fester did this diamond on a hand... look at the perfect lines. That part of the hand is not easy to tattoo!

Mark usually does dragons all day, everyday. Try and find someone to do em like this!!

Or maybe you want a story book style tree. Mark can do it all.

Juan has a style of his own. I don't know any artist who can use an old school whip shading technique and make it look good on a realistic image except for juan.

... and yet do a realistic 3 d image with smoooth shading as well.

I did this boxer...

and this angel... stuff I'm proud of.

We understand technique.. we are all capable of great things and not only that, we do 'em everyday. We know how to get from point A to point B with no stops in between. It is an art. The are some government offices which consider tattoo artists as "low skilled workers"... people who go to college and get degrees are considered high skilled workers. HAHAHAHAHA!!

Explain that one to me... come down and get some low skilled art from some low skilled workers.

Javier Campos from Lima Peru... uses Godoy Machines

2011-02-21T18:11:00.000-08:00

Javier Campos is a Peruvian tattoo artists. We mentioned his model machine in previous blogs. He has only been tattooing 8 years... look at his work. These are mastepieces. This is what every tattoo artist should strive for. When you have this kind of understanding of your machine and technique, there will be NO limits to what you can do.

I can't wait til the trend of traditional tattooing is over. It will be interesting to see who will be out of work and who won't. Artists with limits are just that. This guy will always be busy because he has the skills.

We met Javier at a convention in Lima Peru about 5 years ago, and saw him again at the following one. Since then, we have become friends and we meet whatever South American events which we decide to attend. Normally we give one of our machines as a prize for best black n grey tattoo, best realistic and best tattoo of the convention. And pretty soon, he was winning all the machine prizes!! We decided to start giving him machines in order to let other artists have a chance to win one of our prized machines.

This is some of the best work to be seen in tattooing. Just compare. Walk around town and take a close look at people's tattoos. Compare.

The subtle shades of greys and skin tones are not the easiest to put into the skin. Over time, the experience of doing this type of realism becomes easier and easier and pretty soon, you get a complete understanding of how to do it, how to deal with different skin types... Training your eye / hand coordination with this type of style will prepare you to handle ANY challenge effortlessly.

Look at the shades of color in the lips. The colors blended to make a realistic tone for the lip color are hard to blend. A knowledge of painting helps to steer you in the right direction. Check the hoop in the girl's nose... very realistic.

Another masterpiece... Remember the name Javier Campos, you may be seeing him here sooner or later...

NEW GODOY MACHINES SITE - WWW.GODOYMACHINES.COM

2011-02-12T08:17:00.001-08:00

NEW SITE IS UP...

If you are a professional tattoo artist, go to http://www.godoymachines.com to order our book...the most illegally downloaded industry e-book of our time. The one pictured is the second edition. Way thicker and more informative than the previous edition.

Any one of our machines... the only machines in the world who's patented parts are owned by US, it's builders!!

If you are interested in a machine seminar... like this one in Italy, contact us. Over 140 people attended!!

Let's bring professionalism to tattooing, and not tolerate the mediocrity which is now widely accepted. It's overdue. No more egos, no more attitudes...

RECENT FUN STUFF FROM SASHA

2011-02-08T01:37:00.000-08:00

Yup, another guitar. I really like doing them. Can't get enough of 'em! I have a lot of fun with all the detailing in them. Thanx for sitting so great & letting me do my thang Adrian!

When I looked at the origional sketch of this on the back of a Binos placemat I thought, "Oh lordy, why do I get myself into these tattoos that other people turn away?" but it turned out to be another rewarding challenge. And after all, isn't that one of the reasons I work at Funhouse? Making the stencil and getting it on the skin took longer than the actual tattoo, which was pretty damned fun but it left me crossed-eyed by the end! Whatever, they're just eyes.

Just a funny painting I did for my crazy Duck-E! Mi pato loco para siempre!

FUNHOUSE TATTOO / THE GODOYS IN COLOMBIA, AND CHILE...

2011-02-07T00:23:00.001-08:00

Colombia.... such a great place. Totally stereotyped as dangerous, thanks to their drug cartels from years ago, ruled by "El Patron" - Pablo Escobar . There are still guerillas in the mountains and at night you can see the lights of camps inhabited by families which have been displaced by these guerillas. There are tons stories about kidnappings and the muggings in the major cities. Well, we didn't have any problems. The climate in this town was perfect... mid 70's to 80 degrees every day and a really good tattoo scene. Our friend Edward organized a few seminars in his town. With the help of Tato the owner of the Tattoo Shop / Bar where the seminar was held.

Here, Steve supervises 3 of the 10 participants as they take care of their machines.

The participants in the tattoo machine seminar were great. Probably the fastest learning class we have ever taught. They were really enthusiastic and eager to learn. It seems that in other countries apart from the USA and CANADA, that people are actually interested in bettering their career, bettering their abilities and furthering their education in order to better their trade. Here in North America, the egos are so big that no tattoo artists wants to admit that they "don't know". They don't see that we must educate ourselves in order to advance!

We spent a few days there in Colombia with Edward. The guy is a champion...

Art, Enrico and Steve.

We flew to Chile to do a convention. Our hosts got us an apartment on the 18th floor of an apartment building. We were guests of honor. We met our friend Enrico Colombres, who is also our machine distributor in Buenos Aires Argentina. We were treated like kings... this place was deluxe. Perfect waves out front... nice beach too. The waves were good everyday and didn't drop below 5 feet! Unreal!!

Check out the boogie boarder getting ready to pull in to a tube! And the surfers getting ready to take off on the next wave!

Here are part of the organizers. The 2 patos and their friend Gerson... such cool and generous people. They bent over backwards to make sure our stay was perfect. And it was.

Our double wide booth was situated in the middle of the convention floor. We repaired like 30 machines and sold quite a few machines!

The judging in the competitions was fair. The quality of the tattoos and the judges' understanding of skill and technique resulted in a great competition!

This is Nicolas Horning... doing what he does best.

Nice tattoo... nice machine!

This guy has been tattooing for a mere 2 years! This color portrait of Ozzy won him second place in the realism competition.

Tattoo conventions in other countries are amazing. Especially south of the U.S. border. The artist seem to have a mutual respect for one another! Totally unheard of in North America.

Now... come down to the shop and get tattooed!!

TATTOO CONVENTION IN VANCOUVER APRIL 15-17

2011-02-06T12:02:00.001-08:00

htt://www.westcoasttattooshow.com

Here it the link... for information. We will be there. Doing what we do best... to make appointments to be tattooed at this event, contact us at the shop. 604-879-4114. You may get an award winning piece which you could enter in some of the contests and win something! Best of all, it's on you forever!

I am still offering a seminar on tattoo machines there. Price is $300.00. It goes all day.. between 4-8 hours. It's not some half assed seminar that you would receive from some amateur... if you are a professional tattoo artist.. of ANY skill level this seminar will benefit you. Contact me directly at art@godoymachines.com

See you all there!!

Funhouse Artist : FESTER

2011-01-14T07:54:00.000-08:00

Fester can do portraits.

I have tattoo artist friends all over the world. My brother and I travel to tattoo conventions in places that most artists don't go to. For us, Mexico is a special place. We have been attending conventions in Guadalajara and Mexico City for the last 9 or 10 years and that's where we met Fester and Juan... and now both work at the shop. Most of you who have been to the shop or who subscribe to our blog might vaguely know who Fester is.

Celaya is a city in the center of Mexico, it's in the state of Guanajuato. That's where cajeta is from.. it's a caramel topping. F*ck, put it on your ice cream, your frozen waffles... cake. And it's the home of "pulque"... an alcoholic drink that "f*cks you up and makes you fat" - Juan told me that. That's also where Fester is from. He owns a shop there called "Ninety Nine Tattoo". He works at the Funhouse full time and flies back to manage his place once in a while. He has over a decade of tattooing under his belt. He is well traveled and can tattoo any style.

He does great script. So clean and precise. Look around... go to shops and look at their freehand script. Most of it sucks. Fester, Juan and Sasha have it down. This is a sort of chicano style. Lots of artists in North America, especially here, aren't exposed to this type of art. It's not in the culture. It's usually associated with gangs, n prison and there is a certain method to doing it.

More script and a traditional style rose.

The lines here are consistent and clean. To do lines this long and clean takes some real skill, which Fester can handle with his eyes closed. To get rid of that love handle is another story... looks like a side of pork with the skin still on! EW...

Huge patches of solid even grey shading is also a skill which not all artists have. It involves knowing and understanding your machine's function, the correct ratio of water to black ink, and years of f*cking up in order to perfect it. This piece is full of grey shades which are solid and even. Note: The realism of the shading to make this look carved out of rock, check out the "pits" in the rock.... it really does look textured!

This guy had his eye sewed shut and part of his lip...

Part human, part machine... that's what it looks like to me. That's one bloodshot eye!! Nice bright solid colors, clean lines... bold in parts to create depth and to "hold" those sections in. The white highlights really make this piece.

Come down, book with Fester. You won't regret it. He sits behind the wall between Sasha and Mark. 604-879-4114.

STANLEY T. MADHATTER!

2011-01-05T13:15:00.001-08:00

Art and Steve @ Corktown Vibrators show with Hatter

Steve and Hatter with the Bermonsey Joyriders

Steve and Hatter with the Bermonsey Joyriders

Outside the Grande Ballroom Beverly at Grand Detroit

Hatter was a great guy. From the minute I met him... Steve had told me all about his time with Kimmer and Hatter... f**k, I wish that I could have been there to see the Trans love house...and the Grande. But.. I got to hang out with him and Kim when Steve flew out to meet me in Detroit when I played with the Vibrators. What a time... He was definitely a highlight in the tour. He will be missed... Art Godoy...

SLEIGHT OF HAND SKATEBOARDS - KNOX GODOY

2010-12-31T00:31:00.000-08:00

SLEIGHT OF HAND SKATEBOARDS -

Started by Knox Godoy... LAUNCHING SOON so, get ready. For information; www.thesohseries.blogspot.com

THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE

2010-12-28T01:10:00.000-08:00

Mark's preliminary drawings are unreal... but as tattoos, they are insanely and infinitely better.

It's hard to believe that there are clients that come in and actually say, "So, when I come down for my appointment, are you just gonna tattoo it without a drawing or will you draw something first?" REALLY!?

The bottom line is... tattooing is not a game of chance and it should never ever be. We don't put the needle in until the client ok's the image and the placement of the image. Preliminary drawings are usually done in most cases. The ones you see in this blog are just some examples. You will see black line, and some blue pencil.

Look how good these are, and they are only the lines... when they are color pieces or shaded pieces, they will look a million times better. Look how awesome these are already!

Aron has a good collection of prelims on the go.. sleeves, backs.. large pieces.

Drawings never show how the tattoo will actually look finished because it's impossible to get the same smoothness or textures when drawing with a pencil as you would tattooing on skin with sharp needle groupings which have way more versatility than a graphite pencil or colored pencil wearing down on a textured white piece of paper.

Sasha stashes all her drawings... only found a few on her work area. Great sh*t. Look at the giant t*ts on the warrior woman.. hot.

When it comes to specific images, stencils have to be used. If a client asks for a portrait, or a logo... it would be silly for ANY artist to try and draw their rendition of that image, freehand. That's why, when portraits or logos come in, we ask for clients to bring us laser copies of their images so we can trace over them on stencil paper to get all the subtle shades, lines, eyelashes... lip texture, wrinkles, shades in the eyes as well as highlights and not miss a thing.

It would suck to have a portrait of your loved one end up with crooked eyes! There is a scientific and and specific technique to achieving perfect portraits, it's never a crap shoot at the Funhouse.

Juan's mirror is covered with blanket of drawings!

Whether we draw on paper, or whether we draw directly on the skin with a pen, the results are always unbelievable. Everyone here is an incredible artist. So versatile and so accommodating. We still say "there is nothing we can't tattoo!"

Art Godoy 1988

2010-10-20T08:43:00.001-07:00

Found this online.. at the time, I was skateboarding professionally and tattooing to supplement the income I wasn't making from skateboarding. This was 1988 and if any of you remember the 80's... I think the first word that comes to mind is "the music sucked, the pink clothes sucked, it was a shitty time...". It wasn't easy being heavily tattooed in an industry run by NON skateboarders. How do you market this to the kids? Look at it today... they're all tattooed...

World Class Tattoo Artist Scrappy Uno

2010-10-12T17:40:00.000-07:00

Scrappy consistently wins competitions. Plain and simple... the guy is a world class tattooist from Mexico City. He specializes in portraits and realism... black n grey. His work can be used as a standard to compare whether or not some one's work is up to par. Really... black and grey uses techniques that artists who only do color and bold lines would not understand. It's safe to say that if you understand these techniques, all the rest will be easy.

We get lots of people who come into the shop who have been tattooed in Mexico.. usually at a resort town.. and they always laugh and say "I know it sucks, I got it in Mexico." The thing is, just as in the United States or Canada.. hell, the whole world for that matter, there are shitty artists and great artists. You just have to find them. If you plan to bring home a souvenir tattoo, why not bring in a good one?

Scrappy sets a high standard.

We're proud to say that he uses Godoy Machines... it's an honor to see this excellent work done with our machines!!

REMEMBER THIS? Guinness Prime Time 1996

2010-09-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

This was an episode of Guinness Prime Time on which I appeared. It has been shown world wide since we appeared on it in about 1996. Julia's facial tattoos are way brighter then than they are now. She has been undergoing laser treatments to lighten and remove some of the work so that she can re do and re design her facial tattoos.

This show went world wide. A few years after the show aired in the U.S. and North America, I received a letter (not even an email, a paper letter!) from a friend in South Africa who said he saw it! Another in Australia... it had been translated into several languages and shown world wide!

Wanna say thanks to Daniel for forwarding me the link to this show!!

ARON MCKENZIE IS BACK AT FUNHOUSE

2010-09-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

Aron McKenzie is back at Funhouse Tattoo after some time away tattooing all over Canada, he's back in Vancouver! Aron and Mark used to work together years ago in London Ontario. Though their styles are different, their dedication to the perfection of their art is the same.

Aron has over 15 years tattooing, he has experience in every style.... black and grey, traditional...portraits... freehand... you name it. Even if you have purple skin, he can make the lightest colors show up!!! If you want a kitten chasing a ball of yarn, he's your guy... if you know any deers who need to be put out of their misery... he's your guy... if you need any advice on natural cures or remedies... maybe ask some one else!

He has tattooed coast to coast and has some of the best stories around... no f*cking joke. Come down and get tattooed by Aron!

Please call the shop to make an appointment. 604-879-4114

TATTOO MACHINES & THEIR SECRETS - 2ND EDITION

2010-09-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

Probably the most important industry text book any professional tattoo artist should own.

The cover art was done by Mark Lankin of Funhouse Tattooing in Vancouver and was written by Art & Steve Godoy.

The function of the tattoo machine is everything. It controls the force at which the needles penetrate the skin. Understanding this function, in detail, will enable any artist of any skill level to reach artistic goals which weren't possible with an un tuned machine.

These days, the tattoo industry is making money. The silly t.v. shows have glamorized the industry so much that everybody and their brother wants to become a tattoo artist. Elevating their status from fry cook to "tattoo artist" has created the backyard scribbler. Now he has "star status"... he can get his "sleeves", meet chicks... be recognized anywhere and work in his unregulated and unsterile environment! Though through the decades, there have always been backyard scribblers, there are more now than ever before! Some suppliers, without ethics, sell to anybody... why? because they are motivated by money.

The tattoo industry is making money, suppliers are making the most money. They are buying cheap and selling high. Most of the machines they sell are manufactured in China and sold for as little as $20.00 a machine. It's really become a throw away world! And why not?? the price is right... if your machine runs like sh*t, throw it away and get another $20.00 machine. Maybe the supplier may even have a sale... you can get it for $15.00!

A good artist should be able to diagnose problems, repair and tune his/her machines. That artist should understand the function of that machine in association with artistic technique. This is the difference between real professionals and amateurs. The difference between gliding through a 1 hour tattoo as opposed to suffering for 2 or 3 hours using a machine which it not tuned.

The machine can't be bought (usually) and expected to perform, right out of the box. Unless it was built by artists/builders who UNDERSTAND what that machine needs, in order to achieve certain results.

This book is the only definitive industry text book of it's kind. This book provides a complete dissection of the electomagnetic tattoo machine, the function of each and every component and it's role in a fully funcitoning well ltuned tool. It will be available by September 30. $140 dollars is nothing to pay for 25+ years of tattooing experience. It is a soft cover with full color images, machine gallery, artist gallery and information you will find only in this book. Educate yourselves and you won't have to feel taken advantage of... see why it has been the most downloaded bootlegged book in the industry...

If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail.

SKATE TATOO AND PUNK.. IN MEXICO... WE WERE THERE

2010-08-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

MODERN TATTOOING...

2010-08-07T16:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, Here's a great piece... Juan doing a Bob Marley tribute piece. You will find Bob in it, of course, his Les Paul Junior with a single cut away, a Lion statue... Bob's house... excellent piece. Even Juan is all smiles about it! The guy getting the tattoo was flying to the Carribean during hurricane Katrina! F*ck that!!! Turbulence on a normal flight is one thing, but going from one island to another in a propeller plane during a hurricane sounds about as fun as sliding down a razor blade on your b*lls and landing in a pool of alcohol... anyway, he said it was that trip that turned him on to reggae music.

That was a great day, the conversations at the shop are the best. You can really learn a lot. Because of the open floor plan, everyone has a chance to join in the conversations. There are so many knowledgeable people that come into the shop that you can learn everything from facts to how to do repairs on cars, where to find parts, access services like machining, computer services, hair cuts, where to get fancy shoes... you name it.

The week before, I was in Mexico at tattoo convention. Here's a picture of the plane entering Mexican air space.

This is the first day, in the first 20 minutes of the convention. The place got real full. Conventions in Mexico are the best. It's not a huge money maker but the experience is the greatest. You can't put a price on it, especially in a city as huge as Mexico City!!!

There is some real talent there. Not just in Mexico City but the whole country! Look at this tattoo. The guy who did it, uses our machines. The smoothness of the shading and solidness of the color says it all.

Mexico is known for it's black and grey artists. These 2 pieces (above and below) were done by Kique Sanx from Chilpancingo in the state of Guerrero.

I always use black and grey as a reference as to the artist's ability. The techniques needed to do these realistic images is not only a question of eye / hand coordination, but a question of understanding the techniques needed to make your machine, needles and diluted ink achieve this. Light even shades are the hardest to do. Especially if the areas are huge!

Skin type plays a big role in this as well. There are some types of skin that are very receptive to the faintest shades of diluted greys, others are not so lucky. As you can see from these tattoos, there are rarely outlines, the edges are implied with different grey shades and hard edges. You can see this in the noses, shapes of the eye sockets, eye lids and so on. None of the facial features ever gets outlines, surprising to some of you, not even the eyes!! If you ever look in the mirror, there is a shelf that the eyelashes grow out of. That is defined by shades, not lines...

It takes a real "eye" to spot this. There are tons of artists who attempt portrait work and fail miserably because they tattoo what they "think" it looks like and NOT what they see...

Just a little information for you to chew on...

FUNHOUSE TATTOO - a little overview..

2010-07-25T08:07:00.000-07:00

Here's Fester doing another FINE piece!! Perfectly executed Chinese letters.. complete with brush strokes. You could see all the tiny lines from the camel hair brush that it could have originaly been painted with! Don't know if that's what they use in China for brushes...

Fester tattoos with confidence and precision. Natural instinct. He has years under his belt of hardships & good times. He's had to jump some hurdles in his lifetime! All of these things can side track you from your trajectory of being a professional tattoo artists. He stuck with it and now 13 years later.... greatness.

Sasha does too! I don't think you will find another quite like her. ...This feather is so clean and well done. All this talent and ability is from YEARS of work. Working on your own legs... guinea pigging friends, working on Ryan! The amount of dedication it takes to do what she does is unbelievable. The anxiety and stress in the early years from trying to push your limits and occasionally falling on your face compares to accidentally cutting off the wrong foot of a patient with gang green in his toes... well, maybe not as bad. We have all been through it and come out the other side!!

It's as if one day, a light bulb goes on in your head and all of the sudden you're doing stuff like this:

or this shell by Sasha:

Now, because of the TV shows on tattooing, tons of people want to get into it. It's not the Outlaw art it used to be. It's great for business but it's lost it's edge. There are tons of kids who want to get an apprenticeship, or think it' s an easy job. It' s not. People think that just because you're a good artists, you can do this. Or just because you have a degree from some art school that you will be attractive to us to bring you in as an apprentice. Not true. We get tons of inquiries about an "apprenticeship program" or if we need any apprentices. Nobody ever NEEDS one... really. Maybe a helper to clean tubes... sterilize, answer phones... but to find somebody who is willing to dedicate YEARS of their life to learning this trade is a rare thing. It's even more rare to find somebody who is WORTH teaching this to.

I had an apprentice once - Jeremy Riley. He turned out GREAT. He was with me for 9 years!!! He now owns Tattoo Union on Broadway... right down the street from where he started.

For me, every aspect of tattooing is important. It's not just the art of tattooing...Here's a bit about what I do on the side... building tattoo machines.

This is the NEW steel BLACK WIDOW machine. It's coils are not only triangular in shape, the space between the protruding tops and bottoms allow for more winds of wire. It is a strong smooth running machine, yet sensitive and versatile enough to execute the finest details with the smallest needle groupings as well as subtle grey shades.

Most machine suppliers will sell a machine for the fair market price, but now that China is involved, the price does not always match the product. Most artists want to buy a machine which is ready to go. Buy one of those and if you don't know how to adjust of modify it, the price just wasn't worth it. Our machines are ready to go, tuned and set up to be able to perform whatever function you need to perform.

This is the Godoy Machines V3 machine. This piece of machinery has had year of designing and testing. It happens to be our 3rd patent in the works!! The way this machine runs doesn't compare to ANY machine out there. Every component has been dissected and re worked for function and ergonomics. From the precise machining to the tight layer winds, from the deluxe powder coated finishes to the minor details like fasteners and terminals... this is a piece of highly functional art. Because of the coils shapes, there are more layers of wire than on a standard machine. It will operate at between 6 and 7.5 on a regulated power supply. Which is a higher than on our V2 and Black Widow machines. This does not change function. You will not find a smoother feeling machine than this one. This is the Mercedes of tattoo machines.

The Godoy Machines V2... what can I say. Before our office actions with the square coil patent, we were experimenting with a V series coil. The shape of the coil, the angles of the coil... and of course the wire gauges were all things we were studying. We were also concerned with the magnetic field and how to direct it to where we wanted it to go. We slanted the coils, away from each other to re direct the magnetic field to either end of the moving armature bar, and here ya go... the V2 was born. Future modifications lead us to now, where the rear coil is straight and the front coil is angled.

BACK TO THE SHOP....

We believe in advancement. We support creativity and originality. The shop environment, though light hearted and fun, is also serious. We are serious about the service we provide and the ethics we keep

WE COVER SH*T AND REPAIR SCRIBBLE...

2010-07-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

Cover ups are serious business. They are a great way to get rid of regret, wether it's the memories of that Vegas trip when you got married by Elvis and got your future ex husband's name tattooed on you or wether it's a souvenir from your f*cked up teenage years experimenting with sewing needle and india ink tattoos! Emotional regret is a different story!!

Cover ups don't have to be so complicated. Any quality artist SHOULD be able to cover a tattoo. The "normal" way to cover a tattoo is to use a color that is darker than the colors used in the tattoo to be covered. Most artists (the mediocre ones) would have chosen a design which was mostly BLACK to cover this tribal, like another tribal or a mountain gorilla or... When in reality, a color that is the same value of the tattoo to be covered will work to blend it into the new design or to cover it. The tattoo in picture is greyish... a dolphin would have easily covered this, leaving plenty of clear skin to put a rainbow coming out of it's ass and not have the colors muddied up by the grey tattoo.

If you look at photo number one, the tattoo looks dark on the skin because the only color to contrast it is her skin color, but if you took a blue ball point pen and drew a line on the tattoo, you would see that the pen is darker than the tattoo and you would know that you have more options than you think!

Tattoo colors in their bottles look thick, dark and dense... they are much like tempera paint, or poster paints, the difference is in the surface they to be applied to. On paper, the color will be opaque, that is to say "solid" because the surface is not as porous as skin is so on paper, these colors can cover spots or patches which are dark. IN the skin, the colors go in transparent so there's no way you can cover a freckle with yellow, or pink or anything lighter in value than that freckle. They will show through, some darker scars will too... birthmarks, the same... GET IT?

how bout now?

In this tattoo I (Art) used shades of battle ship grey and watered down black to do the "base coat" of the tattoo... creating a foundation which would make it easier to add lighter colors around those areas to create depth.

If you need cover up work, think of the images that you like. It's up to us to make it cover that ugliness. You should be open minded because NOT all images will cover all tattoos, for example, a bright yellow happy face would never cover this grey tribal tattoo. The only other option, if your tattoo is super dark, besides tattooing a big black patch is laser treatments... which can be used to lighten the tattoo in order to have more options for cover up designs, or to get rid of it all together.

If anyone can do it, we can. Got one to do really soon, the clown who did it originally, knows who he is. Have a few ideas in mind just in CASE Your original idea doesn't work.

JULY 9 - 11 TATTOO CONVENTION LANGLEY - WE WILL BE THERE

2010-07-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

JULY 9 - 11 in Langley. 2 artists per day at our booth. If you want to get tattooed at the convention, please call the shop to see which ones of us will be there on what day. Should be a good event. For more info on the show, go to : http://www.westcoasttattooshow.com.

COME GET TATTOOED BY SASHA!!!!

OR BY FESTER!!!!

OR BY MARK!!!

OR BY JUAN!!!

OR BY ART!!

If we're busy, come by anyway, make an appointment to get tattooed at the shop! See you there!

MARK LANKIN - FUNHOUSE TATTOO ARTIST

2010-06-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

About 8 years ago, the shop was open on Broadway and Ontario. I was in need of another artist to fill a chair and Mark walked in. When potential artists come looking for work, I usually look at their portfolios and take a day or 2 to decide, unless it's real mediocre stuff or poor stuff, in that case, I shut 'em down right there. But Mark was a whole other story. I said "can you start tomorrow?" Ha!! He agreed. Now, we had another secret weapon in the shop to combat any mediocrity in the city.

Every artist has their own style and some artists, these days, don't. They have someone else's style. This can be seen in the trend of repetitive traditional tattooing. Some artists don't travel outa their comfort zone. Mark doesn't have a comfort zone, he's uncomfortable all the time, that's why he does great work like this!!

If I was to categorize his style, I would say it's a cross between action hero comic books and realism. See these dragons he's doing, that's what dragons look like in real life, for your information. And this is what Heather our shop helper and owner of THE GOODS SCREENING AND APPAREL ON BROADWAY AT KINGSWAY just across from the KINGS GATE MALL looks like when she's on the toilet! Go talk to her, maybe you can buff her flamed helmet and then, she can buff yours... if not, go purchase some of their items, or get some shirts printed.

Maybe you're just like the rest of the world and really enjoy collecting fetus skeletons and want to pay tribute to your collection with a tattoo of one in a test tube! Or maybe you are a girl who likes to drive tanks and destroy sh*t. BAM!!!

If so, Mark will do it.

Maybe you want that portrait of your dalmatian. Y'know, that special photo you took of him before he died from smoking may mean everything to you. At least you got one before he died!! And now, you could remember him FOREVER the way he was when he was happiest...before the tar in his lungs turned into tumors and suffocated him to death.

Whatever it is, realistic, Japanese, bio-mechanical, color, black and grey... come down and talk to Mark. Come down and talk about hobos, government, food, Bart Simpson, the dumpster, the broom...christmas socks.

BECAUSE WE CAN...

2010-06-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

Some of what we do is stuff that most artists in the city won't do. Saying that we do the impossible is close, but if we can do it how can it be impossible? It's skill level that makes it possible! Sometimes, an artist will say "it can't be done that small" and sometimes it's true, there are pieces that can be too small, like some high detailed fonts, but most of the time what these are really saying "I can't do it that small." Professionally, it would be better to tell it like it is to a client because the client will then decide wether to search for an artist who CAN and not have to compromise their original decision on size or settle. Some clients are open minded enough to let an artist "try" or go with it and accept the tattoo in a larger size. John Day's angel (above) took 4 hours... no outlines...just shades of color. No compromising here.

This is Yolanda's cover up... a mediocre under water scene is replaced by a high detailed realistic coral scene.

It boils down to skill level. Some artists will even say "in 10 years the lines will be fuzzy and the details gone"... another excuse. That is something that is impossible to predict! Exposure to sun, their pre disposed aging due to genetics, elasticity of the skin... after care, weight gain, muscle gain... all these things are factors!! But, let's just say, if that were true, that "in 10 years, the detailed, fine line tattoo will look like a turd", then so will the thick bold black lines they prefer to do! May be even worse!!! I don't know which would be worse a faded single needle line which could turn a light grey with shading that will disappear, or a dark bold line which will only get thicker with a grey fuzz around it.

Portraits and realistic work are standards used to measure an artist's general skill by. It takes eye-hand coordination to do these. First a stencil is placed on the skin, marking every subtle shade or wrinkle, the eyelashes, the highlights... and then it's up to the artist to translate the shade or value for that particular area wether it's by mixing the color or thinning down the black ink with water, BY EYE. Some artists excel in "traditional" style tattooing, which today is recognized as trendy, just like the tribal armband of the 90's. It does take some skill to draw a tattoo to match the style of tattooing's early pioneers (skulls with square eyes..), but the technique used to actually tattoo this style of work is rudimentary. Lining with a 7 - 9 needle liner and doing solid color is what most artists learn in their first few months of holding a machine.

This portrait was small, the guy's arm was skinny so he didn't have much room to work with, the face alone was approximately just over an inch wide so imagine the size of the eyes. This is single needle stuff!! The shades making the muscle tones, and facial details wasn't all done in blacks or greys... I won't let the cat out of the bag but any GOOD artist will be able to look at an image and instinctively know what to mix to get there.

Some areas are hard to work on. Just look at the surface of the skin! There are dips and valleys, occasionally there are creases, moles... going from soft areas to hard bony areas!! It's not an easy job... a professional can make it look easy but it can be the most frustrating thing ever.

Some clients have great skin to work on! Even the subtle-est greys show up on them. This portrait was a pleasure to do!! This was freshly done so there is a little redness but you can see on the hat and the collar that Seio's skin was great for portraits. Don't mean to toot our own horn... TOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! But this is what WE CAN do. We are doers. As Wentzle Ruml would say, "I can do it, I'm doin' it." He's the guy 27 seconds in... you must see this movie, even if you don't skate...

SO, after work, do you know what time it is? Hungry?

how bout now?

Work all day... eat in the evening... digest all night... sweat all night digesting meat... wake up, put out a bi- product that looks like the baked beans in the picture.. with a side of what looks like the lemonade in the picture... clean up and do it again.

THIS IS A TATTOO!!

2010-06-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

This woman had cancer and both breasts were removed and reformed with implants. The problem was that during the operation they even remove the nipples! She came in asking about having the nipples tattooed on, she had seen it done in photos at her doctor's office but the work was VERY BASIC - not much more than a pink circle. Since her niece was a client at the Funhouse, she asked her about us and if we could do the job. She came down to consult and I told her that on the day of the appointment, to bring in pictures of what she'd like. Size and shape are crucial!!

A few weeks went by and the day of the appointment had arrived. I got to the shop early and started to set up the privacy area. She arrived on time and I asked "Are you ready?" and then told her the usual "this is going to be f*cking great!" She was a little nervous, and understandably so! When she took her shirt off it was as if she was sexless... what I mean to say was that she didn't seem to feel any modesty or embarrassment, she was totally expressionless. There was no effort to cover up or hesitation to show herself in front of a stranger. It wasn't as if she was an exhibitionist, more like she had no nipples to identify her as a woman so she didn't feel like a woman, and didn't feel that it was offensive to expose herself to anyone. She layed down and I drew the nipples on with a pen, centering them exactly where she liked them to be and started to work.

Her sister was there for support and as the first one was finished, I noticed the look on her sister's face. I finished the first one and gave her a quick look and moved on to the second one. In total, I think the job took 1.5 hours. When I finished, I asked her to go to the stand up mirror and check herself out. She got up, NOT COVERING HERSELF UP in any way (as she was used to this), and when she saw herself in the mirror, her hands immediately and instinctively raised up to cover herself! What she saw was not the sexless torso that the cancer had left her with... she had tears in her eyes!!

Tattoos are great. They do alot for people... wether it's a portrait of a friend...

or these fairies like on Tammy's arm, from her favorite book...

Anything is possible you'll know when you find it and you know where to go when you do!

Transworld Skateboarding Magazine/ Now and then...

2010-06-01T12:04:00.001-07:00

This appeared in the new Trans World Skateboarding Magazine. This is the June 2010 issue.

I was at the grocery store buying some sh*t and picked it up, started flipping through it and on page 60 there it was. It was so great to have a mention like this, especially to be on the same page as Steve and Micke Alba and the Pappas brothers, all of which are friends of ours.

Skateboarding really does have a colorful history. It's so mainstream now, more than it has ever been and people don't realize what it took for it to be so accepted! The obstacles, we all had to go through. Sometimes surviving on small paychecks, unlike now, where there are million dollar shoe and clothing endorsements!

Thanks to people like Danny Way who pioneered the Mega ramp, people like Tony Hawk who was so advanced in his early days, blowing away all the established pros of that era and continued to do so for decades... thanks also to Duane Peters who set a standard for attitude and resilience - bouncing back from serious injuries and DEATH!!... we never thought about why we did what we did, it just came naturally - tattooing, punk and skateboarding and now, most of top professionals are tattooed! That was no accident! People take if for granted but there is a reason for the evolution!

We were all kids who loved to skate and for us, it has kept us young. It has done so much for us as people... Unlike team sports, skateboarding promoted individuality, self esteem, physical fitness and creativity... you didn't have to worry about losing the game FOR THE WHOLE TEAM because you didn't catch the ball, and then have to face ridicule from the rest of the jocks!! You could progress at your own pace or you could strive to be like your skate heroes and learn the tricks they did. Your goal could be to get as crazy at the Upland Pipeline skatepark as Steve and Micke Alba did...

you could learn layback roll outs like Duane Peters !!!

T-Bone Photo.

This was from our generation... we were kids looking up to them before we turned pro in 1985!!

Wanna say thanks to Mackenzie Eisenhour for the write up! Let's do an interview!!!

WE MADE IT ON MSNBC TODAY!!

2010-05-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

Today, a story appeared on MSNBC. It was about Julia Gnuse (pictured). She is a long time friend and BEST client ever as I (Art and my brother Steve) did all her work. She is the Guiness Book of World Records' "Most Tattooed Woman". The article gives a brief but accurate story of how and why. DON'T BE SO QUICK TO JUDGE until you've read the story.

TATTOOS, FOOD, TATTOOS, FOOD, TATTOOS, FOOD...

2010-05-09T23:19:00.000-07:00

When we start the day, it could be with "traditional style" job like this one that Sasha did with super clean lines and super solid color.

Or maybe, a black and grey dragon like this one that Mark did. Notice the details... the shading, the unique style unique only to Mark Lankin!

Or it could be a JEEP like this one that Juan did... perfection. If I was gonna get a Jeep, this would be the one I would want...

Or maybe... just maybe you're a SPICE GIRLS FAN... you could get that too just ask Art (me) to do it..... Personally, I would get DEVO tattooed on me but Curt doesn't give a fuck, he can get whatever he likes!!!

Or maybe you're a Virgin Mary fan...

This is what WE do at the Funhouse.. a variety of tattoo styles and sizes, from realism to traditional, to black n grey... any theme any size. We're not gonna moralize and judge... we do what we do... the way we do it. While doin' it, we get hungry and if it's lunch time, how bout one of these?

Don't care if you like meat or not... we do. This is the TERNERA TORTA from "Las Tortas", up the street from the shop... such a quality sandwich. God... pickled jalapenos, pickled onions.. guacamole, beans, lamb meat... cabbage... all on a quality bun. It's not cheap but worth every penny.

Finish it off with a piece of chocolate cake from BEANS... just look at it... you can see the chocolatyness... even though the frosting is melting like a turd in the summer sun, i can assure you that it didn't taste AT ALL like a turd... such quality buttery chocolaty frosting.... and the density of the spongy cake made for a real filling and fulfilling lunch!!

So, that day, we all worked like dogs.. really! Long day, so guess what? are you hungry yet? ....

how bout now? It was time for round 2 at Memphis Blues Barbeque...

FUCK YEAH, LET'S EAT!!!

Ryan, Juan and Mark sharing the cooked carcasses of the pigs, birds and cows that donated their muscles and fats to feed us... and thanks to Memphis for gettin' the potatoes, beans, corn and coleslaw for our meal, before the hippies and vegetarians got to it... man, they always try to HOARD and keep this stuff for themselves.

F*CK THEM, LET'S EAT MEAT!!! REMEMBER, FOOD IS A REWARD FOR HARD WORK.

DESTROY EVERYTHING

2010-05-01T18:14:00.001-07:00

Some peope don't get it. They would look at tattoos like this and go "why would someone put that message on their skin?... forever!" The simple answer is cuz they don't give a f*ck what YOU think! Instead of looking at the finished product and admiring the stunning, decorative and perfect lettering done by Juan, and how aesthetically perfectly it fits on Mark's back, people always have something negative to say.

Just look at the perfection. The cleanest lines around, the smooth transition from dark to light on the shading. and look how perfectly it fits...

Check this! Probably one of the largest TASMANIAN DEVILS ever done!!! Fester knocked it out quickly and executed it in awesome style, as usual. He does some clean work... Most people get these Tasmanian Devils smaller but this guy knew what he wanted and how he wanted it. He had a story to accompany it as well.

Some tattooers would say, "I'll never do a Tasmanian Devil.." We ask "Why not?" they would in turn give you some recycled answer they have heard some place before, from another un original artist... trying to act as if it's below them to tattoo this image. When in reality, who gives a fuck? It's a customer service job and they act like they're doing the client a favor!! Egos and attitudes have no place in this trade.

One day these guys are serving burgers and the next they're tattoo artists... it's an immediate image upgrade from ordinary to rock star status! Silly... don't stand for it! If you go into a shop and get treated like a turd, leave and come here!!

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO. (photos by Juan)

2010-04-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

Why do we do what we do?... there are several reasons we do what we do, the way we do it...

We tattoo all day... work really hard because we have fun at work, we challenge ourselves daily so that we can be more versatile, creative and technically advanced...

We do great work, like this unreal piece (below) by Mark. We feed off of each other's creativity and are stoked when we do really cool tattoos. This inspires us to be the best we can be.

We do it so that we have stories to tell. Think this one in the works (below) that Sasha is dealing with is gonna be a good one??? I think it definitely has possibilities... we talk laugh all day long, the conversation and the stories are endless.

That look on Sasha's face says it all!! Finally, after a long week... we get to reward ourselves with... MEAT... brisket, sausages, pulled pork, ribs, rib ends, fries, cornish game hen, fries, potato salad, beans, cole slaw, barbecue sauce... pecan pie for desert!!!

F*CK YEA, LET'S EAT!!!"

STICKS DON'T PAY THE RENT BY SASHA

2010-04-27T17:20:00.001-07:00

A few years ago, a repeat client of mine walked into the shop seeming quite disoriented, which was unusual for him. he shows me a geometric design he wanted to have tattooed and asked for a price quote, all twitchy like.

i could tell by the psychotic glint in his eyes and his self-inflicted rantings that he was off of whatever meds he was supposed to be on. i quoted him the minimum charge and he proceeds to dig around in his pocket. he procures a bunch of twigs, leaves and bottle caps. he tells me that they are magical and sacred and wants to know if he can trade them for the tattoo.

at this point i have to giggle to myself and when i tell him no he continues to tell me how powerful they are and that he got them from a shaman. i tell the guy "cash only" and feeling defeated & possibly realising the lack of monetary value, he gives me the sticks, leaves and bottle caps because he "wants me to have them" and he leaves the shop. i actually kept them for like a year, cause they made me giggle every time i saw them, so in a way i guess they were kinda magical.

now, off-handedly in our discourse i made the mistake of complimenting dude on his dope vintage leather jacket. so half an hour later he comes back to the shop wanting to know if i would trade the jacket for the tattoo. i woulda come out on top on this deal and it WAS a tempting offer, but i just couldn't bring myself to take advantage of the guy in his debilitated state. i was kinda hoping that he would see the lack of monetary value in his jacket and give that to me in defeat also.

i learnt that day that i do have morals and that no matter how hard i tried i would never be able to pay my rent with sticks, but at least i could make a fire, adorn myself in leaves and drink out of battle caps. i always get the crazy ones.

THINGS ARE PICKING UP! FINALLY

2010-04-26T04:34:00.001-07:00

Just some examples of what's going on lately. Some really cool pieces are happening in the shop. Here, of course are some samples of realism. Both done by Art...

FINALLY, after the Canada Line construction, which took 2 years, the "recession", the Olympics... and a rainy winter, things are picking up again. We're pretty lucky to have the Canada Line train running under our street but during it's construction, things were pretty dismal. The street was torn up from one side to the other. Foot traffic was a thing of the past. The waiting area of the shop which was as busy as a single's bar was completely dead. No cars were able to travel down the side streets, or even park in the neighborhoods due to pipe replacement.

I remember working late one night, til about midnight and hearing a loud rumbling sound accompanied by a real foul smell. I bandaged my client and went outside to see what was up. As I looked into the trench which has now been replaced by Cambie Street again, I saw a pipe puking out, what looked like a brown spray of human turds and sewer juice! The next morning, as I showed up for an early appointment, it was sealed up and the smell was gone. The city handled it pretty quickly!

Everyone at the shop is busy right now... even Fester is starting to go. Get down here!!!

JULIA GNUSE, ONCE AGAIN VOTED MOST TATTOOED WOMAN...

2010-04-24T00:42:00.000-07:00

I (ART) started tattooing Julia in 1991 in Newport Beach California. She walked in one day without any tattoos, hoping to get some relief from a skin condition which was a side effect of her liver producing too much iron for her blood. The skin condition manifested itself in the form of blisters which were as deep as 3rd degree burns. They commonly show up on the hands and face mostly but other body parts were affected. She made an appointment to start tattooing her body suit for the following week. Twice a week for the next 7 years and about 2300 hours later, she was the most tattooed woman in the world. I moved to Canada in about 1998 and my brother Steve took over where I left off. We have appeared on the Guiness Prime time TV show, You Asked for It, Ripley's Believe it or not, Pro Sieben TV (Germany)... and many more.

Recently, she was in Milan where she was AGAIN voted most tattooed woman. There have been several contenders but none with the coverage she has. I look at her photos and it's hard to believe that she was my project...and my brother's, and we feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to opportunity to tattoo her, to have had the recognition we have had and at the same time, be able to restore confidence and happiness in Julia's life, by putting images on her skin which she loves to look at everyday instead of blisters and the scars they leave.

People judge all the time but they don't know her story. If I was in her shoes, I would do the same thing. When experimental medication causes blindness, when dermabrasions and chemical peels only left scars... when doctors said there was NO treatment available which would end this condition, tattooing saved her sanity & happiness. I have had one well known local artist tell me that what I did was "wrong" and that he wouldn't want to "contribute to another person's nightmare". How can this be considered a nightmare when she smiles everyday, now knows Quincy Jones, has been asked by Aerosmith to appear in the "Pink" video, she gets paid for TV appearances, she is flown all over the world - all expenses paid, to show herself off... and all because she wanted to remedy a condition which NOBODY could treat, except tattooing.

NEW ARTIST - "FESTER", STARTING AT SHOP TODAY!!

2010-04-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

Armando "Fester" Castruita, is starting at the shop today. Great artist and friend. I've known him for many years from attending tattoo conventions in Mexico. He is a great talent, and we're stoked to have him in with us. He and Juan used to work together in Fester's shop "Ninety Nine Tattoo" in the city of Celaya in Mexico. He can do any style of tattooing... with his eyes closed!

His schedule is not yet set, it will be in the next few days. Come by and check his portfolio out or just tell him "welcome"!

WHERE IS A CAMERA WHEN YOU NEED IT...

2010-04-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

I (Art) was tattooing at the "House of Tattoo" in Venice Beach in 96, about 2 years before moving to Vancouver. I worked at a shop on the boardwalk... it was so great cuz you when it wasn't busy, you could sit on the front step and people watch all day. Sometimes, there was a piece of dog shit on the boardwalk and with thousands of people walking, we'd place bets on who would step in in it! On weekends or on every day in the summer it was packed with tourists and weirdos... and if you in the shop, and couldn't see outside, no need to worry, they would come into the shop. Weekends there are packed... street performers and people doing weird sh*t. I swear, you could pull one of your balls out, paint it blue, sprinkle some glitter on it and people would walk by, put a tip in your hat and say, "cool ball, keep up the good work!"

Well, one day this guy walks in. He was obviously femenine and gay but was trying to act, and look real tough and straight, jaw clenched, mean look on his face... he comes right up to the counter and in his high "Rip Taylor" style voice he goes, "Who Duzzzz Cover upssss!?" I jumped up and in his same voice I go, "I dooooo!" "Well"... I said "what do you need to cover?" He says, "Oh, it's something on my back, I got it at a party, I passed out and when I woke up, it was there!" I go, "Let me see it." he says, "It, IN NO WAY, reflects who I am... I woke up and it was there!" I go, "I need to see it." He says, "It doesn't reflect who I am, Before I show you, you have to ssssssswear that you won't tell anyone... I want an orca." I go, "I sssssswear! but I really need to see it so I can tell you if it's able to be worked on." He goes, "OK, you promisssssed." I go, "Your secret's safe with me..."

He pulled up his shirt and on his back, VERY WELL DONE, was a tattoo of a man, portrait style - whoever did it KNEW their sh*t.... this man had a black leather hat, dark glasses on, a large handlebar moustache, real thick neck and shoulders- had the physique of a body builder, he had a leather vest on, black chaps motorcycle boots on AND NO PANTS!!! the tattoo had a huge d*ck that hung down past his knees... like if someone had sewn a horse dick on him!!! I stared it for a long minute... I couldn't believe it and then I said, "What shop did you say you got that tattoo at?" he got pissed and said, "I DIDN'T GET IT AT A SHOP BUDDY, I passsssssssed out at a party and there it wassssss!" I go," You're a f*cken liar, that thing is tooooo well done to have been done at a party when you were passed out. It would have taken at least 5-7 hours to do that tattoo, it's very well done, who did it?" It looked like work by some Hollywood artists who's work I knew so I threw out some names... he got so pissed, "uh, uh... CAN YOU COVER IT OR NOT?!" I said, "sure..." so we made and appointment for the next week, and he walked out the door. He never came back...

UNREAL... this is only a small part of the stuff we see in our jobs as tattooers. We could tell stories all day long... come down and see for yourselves! At the corner of Cambie and 14th!

EXPLODING FUCK DOLLS ORIGINAL MEMBERS PLAYING O.C. PUNK ROCK PICNIC

2010-04-02T19:59:00.000-07:00

This is a photo from the show...

L-R: Greg, Steve Godoy (drums), Art Godoy (guitar), Duane Peters (vocals), Troy Zak (bass), and ROb Milucky (guitar)...

Art Godoy wil not be in the shop until the 13th of April, because after almost 20 years, the most important line up of the Exploding Fuck Dolls has top billing at the O.C. Punk Rock Picnic. The original founders of the most successful incatnation of the band will be playing songs from the Dolls days including U.S. Bombs and Hunns tunes. DUANE PETERS (ex pro skateboarder and member of the Hunns, U.S. BOMBS, Gunfight), ART & STEVE GODOY (ex pro skaters, tattooers, and members of the Last of the Bad Men) and 2 other good friends Troy Zak from the Bad Men and Rob Milucky on 2nd Guitar.

The history of the band is tragic & triumphant. The stories are endless... though this line up`s existance was short, it was complete with a total rock lifestyle stories, death, starvation.. struggle & success at a time when that dirty grunge movement was taking over. There were tons of immitators that may or may not admit it, who would not be where they are if it weren`t for the Fuck Dolls.

The band was on the brink of a record contract when it all disintegrated. Due to differences and other things, the band was close to achieving the succes that some of it´s contemporaries enjoyed. Bands like Sublime, No Doubt, Fu Manchu, and others, who´s musical careers exploded later on, had opened shows for the 'then' successful Fuck Dolls. Duane went on to form the successful US Bombs and the twins went on to play with Deniz Tek from Radio Birdman. Time has passed and the struggle is not as necessary... it´s time.

Duane called us this week and asked if we were down. We agreed... I (Art) was in Mexico and changed my flight back to Canada, to a flight to L.A. The gig is APRIL 10.. FOR MORE INFO GO TO: http://www.ocpunkrockpicnic.com/
Some of the set will include :
American Bomb
Rumble Beach
Let´s Go
The Wrench
Radio Birdman´s "Breaks my heart"
and more...

GET READY!!!

2010-03-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

LIMA PERU - TATTOO CONVENTION LAST YEAR

2010-03-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

Lima is a rad city. Peru is a real gem. It is full of unexpected surprises!! We were scheduled to do a seminar at the convention put on by Ramon. There are 2 conventions that happen there, one is put on by Ramon and the other by Miguel... We prefer Ramon's convention. It is bi annual and very professional.

We usually arrive at least a day prior to the event so we can iron out any kinks before we do the seminar, wether we need to buy tools, supplies, copy participation certificates or whatever it may be. On our way to do our shopping routine, we walked past a music store, saw some stuff we wanted to check out. While we were there, a guy came up to us, he said he recognized us from Thrasher Magazine from 1990!! He was an ex-sponsored skater named Juani Masias... we made friends and set up a time to surf in the morning. Morning came too soon, but we were excited to surf Peruvian waves!!! He picked us up and we were off...

Peruvian Surf Vehicle

We drove south down the coast passing old parts of the city which were once trendy and have lost their modern appeal. These places were full classic architecture, and very colorful. You would expect this country to be warm all year round but that is not the case! Remember, when you move further from the equator, in either direction, you start to have seasons. These seasons on opposite ends of the globe, are opposite from each other. For instance, when it's winter in Canada, it's summer in Argentina. Same as Peru. We were there in their fall... the water was cold, in this photo, you can see the greyness... look at Steve freezing his ass off...

Behind Steve is where we surfed. The beach was called Caballeros... it breaks into a cove, there are rights and lefts. This day, there were waves, it was 6-8 feet on the face. If you look to the left in the photo, around the middle of the picture, you will see some waves breaking WAY outside... this peak is called "Pico Alto". This is a HUGE wave.. it breaks way out and you have to be towed into it in order to get on. You wouldn't have the strength to paddle onto it on your own. In this photo, we're facing the ocean, what do you think is behind us when you're looking toward the ocean? Topical Greenery? Palms? NOPE!!!

Sand dunes and more sand dunes. Those are all little ghetto houses on the side of the dune. As desolate as it looks, it has a real cool personality. The waves were clean and good... strong and relatively uncrowded. It was a good time. Our friend Juani, shaped one of the boards we took out. Totally functional but visually unconventional. We came in and got some food at the restaurant/surf shop there before we headed back to the city.

Art and Juani eating chips and talking shit.

The way back was interesting too!! We were re routed to different roads due to a potential riot about to happen. There were cops in riot gear, shields and helmets... people on the other side of the street ready to go. Not sure what it was about, but after many travels in South America, we could guess that it may have something to do with the government f*cking their people over in some way.

How many of you readers have eaten ceviche? It's a raw fish prepared in lime juice. The lime juice "cooks" the fish. Peru is well known for that dish, as well as a juice made out of corn! This was on the menu for us that night. The traditional Peruvian foods we ate were great. There was one in particular which was NOT so hot... anticuchos... cow heart. Not so good.

The tattoo convention was great, it was packed. In our seminar, we met several artists from different countries, the most standout ones were the Naranjo Brothers. They are from Ecuador, Quito to be exact. The shop they own is called House of Style. They are unreal artists... both of them. Mauro is the older brother, he is a machine builder as well. His creations are original and very well tuned. It shows in the tattoos he does... we met other brothers there who bought machines from us. In the photo below, they teamed up on a back piece. They finished this in 5 hours. The client sat like a champion!

All that red is NOT blood!!!

The convention was a success for us and even if it wasn't monetarily profitable, just being there is worth every penny you spent. The culture is rad, the people are cool, the scenery is unbelievable, the waves were quality, the food delicious... can't wait to go again!

ART GODOY BOARD RE-ISSUE BY H-STREET SKATEBOARDS

2010-03-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

I rode professionally for H-Street from 1987 til 1989. I had a few signature decks - one had a turtle graphic on it, it is one of the re issue decks coming out on H-Street. The other shape is a more modern shape with a new graphic I drew. It comes with 2 different drillings for the front truck to change the wheel base from 15" to 15.5". I rode for H-Street after several bad runs with companies which were not quite honest... receiving checks for $4.00 for one month of board sales, companies who didn't want to be a part of competitive skateboarding, some who lacked any experience in how to treat professionals who rode for them. The list goes on.

Art Godoy - Toronto NSA contest 1988

I was stoked that I was given a chance. It was difficult in that time, to find companies who were willing to take us on. We (Steve and I) were not trendy like the rest of the skaters on the circuit. Being a tattooed professional in the middle of 72 other pros who had that "gay" 80's INXS look, we stuck out like a sore punk rock thumb. The queer fluorescent colored clothing, the dyed / bleached bangs was something we could not tolerate!. In our opinion, though a lot of the products were innovative, the fashion was the worst.

In that time, my twin did tons of graphics for H-Street. some are pictured below. It was all hand done color separations and camera work, all decks were silkscreened. Now it's all sublimated transfers... the work took hours and hours to do. There is a book available by Sean Cliver called "Disposable Skateboard Bible". It is full of skateboard graphics from the 60's to today's decks. We have our own pages in it as well, where lots of other decks that we've done can be seen. There is also a story.

There were several other H-Street model decks that we drew: John Schultes large and mini models, Eddie Elguera vert deck, Danny Way's first pro deck, Ron Allen... Some of the decks were pulled from distribution because H-Street heard that there were hidden messages in the artwork... ha ha ha, there may have been!! At the time, we were also doing work for Hobie, Bees Wax, No Fear, Pirate Surf, O'neill, Andy McDonald, Ben Pappas... and tons of other companies and professionals. We were also tattooing part time to supplement our incomes since some of the royalty checks were not so great. When a skateboard career ends, and you don't have a skill to fall back on, life can sure get tough real quick. We were lucky that we had tattooing... some others weren't so lucky. Take a look at "Rising Son"- the story of Christian Hosoi or "Stoked" - the rise and fall of Mark "Gator" Rogowski. These were both TOP professionals from my era who prospered when they were on top and fell hard when it was all done. Christian is back, skating as good as ever.. Gator, still in prison.

IT wasn't the most glamorous life as it is now to be a pro skateboarder, but we traveled all over the world, doing what we loved to do. Skating, surfing, seeing the world. We were very fortunate to have had such a cool experience.

JORY HELMES WINS "BEST LARGE COLOR PIECE!

2010-03-15T09:20:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that Jory Helmes - good friend and ex coworker has won "Best Large Color" and second place in "Best Portrait" at the Capital City Tattoo convention this past weekend in Victoria BC!!! Doesn't surprise us... in case you don't know, Jory can do anything, any style any size. This is an example of one piece he did while he was with us at Funhouse.

In the early days, Jory started as a client, I tattooed his leg so long ago!!! I can't even remember what year that was... but we were at 15 E. Broadway at the time. He always had an interest in getting into tattooing back then, so, just like anyone who is dedicated to the art, he went to work on the oil rigs in Northern Alberta so that he could afford to pay for his apprenticeship at a shop in Red Deer Alberta. He has done his time and paid dues, which is something of a rarity these days where everything is so readily available for the backyard scribbler - pre made needles, suppliers who will sell to anyone, how to books...

Jory was with us for YEARS before he decided to go to Duncan BC to open Bully Boys Tattoo, his own studio! The transformation he underwent while he was with us was amazing. The work always had potential but one day it was as if the light bulb turned on in his head and this is the stuff that started to come out!!

If any of you readers find yourselves in Duncan, go see Jory... even if it's just to talk sh*t.

WELCOME TO ART GODOY'S FUNHOUSE

2010-03-13T22:29:00.000-08:00

HEY!!! Welcome to Funhouse Tattoo Canada... To start, let me say that we have no association with any other Funhouse Tattoo studios anywhere in the world, any similarity is purely coincidental. Our name came from the BEST Stooges album ever!!! When the idea to open the shop was in process, there were several names I was thinking of and since I was listening to this album alot during those days, in 1998, it was the logical choice. I followed the name with the word "tattooing" as in the constant act of tattooing.. not "tattoos". "Tattoos" sounds like a limited catalog of small images. Tiny and final... not like an unlimited act of constant and infinite ideas.

Below is what we look like now, we have had a few locations over the years. Some of you may remember the East Broadway days, or the Upstairs Funhouse at Laurel and Broadway, before some shower shark waiting for me to drop the bar of soap, moved into that location... We are currently located at 3001 Cambie St. in Vancouver BC Canada, at the corner of 14th, 2 blocks from the city hall. This is our fish bowl.. all glass, natural light... pink and black checkered floor, T.V.'s to watch movies all day, unreal story tellers, a safe and casual fun atmosphere... good restaurants and coffee shops all around us in case you come early to your appointment.

We have set up this blog to update you with events & appearances, tell stories, voice opinions, and more. Everyone at the shop is F*CKING great. Great artists and great people. No egos & no attitudes. We all have a strong respect for the art and our clients. We do our best to tattoo everyone with exactly what they want to get tattooed. We will never compromise the quality of the work you want and push some lame idea on you because of any inadequacies (which is typical in our industry) we may have. We are all confident, world famous, veteran tattoo artists capable of tattooing any style any size. We do work that most people in this city would turn away, BECAUSE WE CAN.